Seattle can blitz his rivals

The inaugural running of the Dh350,000 Al Nakhlee at Nad Al Sheba this evening will answer a number of questions for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin regarding the highly-promising colt Seattle Fitz.

Seattle Fitz shared top billing at October's pre-season Pearls of Dubai International Sale when purchased for Dh500,000 by the leading American syndication group, West Point Thorough-breds, and made an immediate impact when easily winning the Al Nakhlee Prep on his debut a month ago.

Seattle Fitz faced a quality line-up in that event, but dominated, sitting just off the pace before going clear at the 400 metres to defeat Countykat, who reopposes him again today, by seven lengths.

Following that performance he headed most racegoers lists of contenders for the Dh500,000 Pearls of Dubai International Sales Stakes on March 6. However, McLaughlin was looking further than that saying the colt could develop into a genuine candidate for the $2 million Group II UAE Derby on March 29.

McLaughlin added that aside from the UAE Derby, Seattle Fitz could be seen in the $200,000 UAE 2,000 Guineas, such is the esteem in which he holds the colt.

However, if Seattle Fitz is to continue to develop as a Guineas and Derby contender then he will need to win the Al Nakhlee and win well. He is clearly the pick on the ratings and at the set weights is well suited.

But he will face a tough assignment from the South African Victory Moon and Godolphin's first runner of the season, the Eoin Harty-trained High Descent.

Closest to Seattle Fitz in the ratings is another Argentinean-bred Eddington on a mark of 93, a Group I winner in Argentina prior to his arrival. However, he disappointed at his first run in the Emirates when finishing a distant last behind Seattle Fitz.

High Descent is still a Maiden after three runs but he showed enough in those efforts to suggest he will produce a forward showing while Victory Moon was impressive when winning on his Emirates debut at Jebel Ali a fortnight ago.

The step up to 1,700 metres will suit Victory Moon, who was doing his best work at the finish at Jebel Ali when grabbing Somerset on the line to win a Limited Conditions event over 1,200 metres.

West Point Thoroughbreds will be dually represented in the Al Nakhlee with stablemate Alocadito (purchased for Dh450,000) also engaged.

Jockey Willie Supple had the choice of mounts between Seattle Fitz and Alocadito and opted for the former, however, the latter won't lose anything, McLaughlin quick to engage champion Irish jockey John Murtagh for the ride.

Alocadito was narrowly defeated by Tangeriano, another runner on Thursday, on his debut at Nad Al Sheba, but quickly found form and showed he had come on for his debut effort when defeating Channel Four in a Maiden over 1,400 metres on December 5.